In the summer of 1801, it seems before they were installed at Sydney Place, the Austens accordingly made their headquarters at Sidmouth. […] Here […] she [Jane] really did her best to oblige parents who came to Bath partly for her social advantages – she fell in love boldly, or at least met a clergyman whom her sister compared with the “very pleasing and very good looking” Mr Edridge of the Engineers. She knew him for a few weeks; he wished on parting to know when he might see her again and convinced Cassandra, thoroughly, that he had “fallen in love”. […] she walked on a promenade with Cassandra on one arm and a tall gentleman on another – there can hardly be a doubt of that – and much can occur in such a situation. She seems to have agreed that her gentleman gave promise of being an acceptable suitor – and he did earn Cassandra’s approval – and so there is nothing particularly unlikely in the simple account of this episode written by Louisa Lefroy, who became Mrs Bellas:
“In the summer of 1801”, Louisa recalls, the Austens had been visiting at Teighnmouth, Starcross, Sidmouth etc. I believe it was at the last named place that they made acquaintance with a young clergyman when visiting his brother, who was one of the young doctors of the town. He and Jane fell in love with each other, and when the Austens left he asked to be allowed to join them again further on in their tour, and the permission was given. But instead of his arriving as expected, they received a letter announcing his death. In Aunt Cassandra’s memory he lived as one of the most charming persons she had known, worthy even in her eyes of Aunt Jane.” This is the most detailed account of Jane’s summer affair, though all accounts derive from Cassandra, who on another occasion said she was able to meet the brother of the deceased clergyman. She later told the tale in so many versions that what mainly emerges from reports written by Fanny and Louisa Lefroy, Caroline Austen and James Edward Austen-Leigh is her own gratified concern with the tragic lover, who showed the best taste by loving very briefly.